Plume Poppy
Macleaya cordata

Family: Papaveraceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Macleaya cordata is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Grassy places, open meadows and the grassy floors of Cryptomeria plantations.

E. Asia - E. China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The whole plant is analgesic, antioedemic, carminative, depurative and diuretic. The juice from the stems of the leaves is used to treat insect bites. A decoction of the leaves and stems is used in the treatment of ringworm. The poisonous sap is used to counter poisonous sores.

Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.

Other

Rating: 0

The dried hollow stems can be used as whistles. Kills insects and mosquito larvae. The flowers are used to kill maggots whilst the whole plant is used to kill larvae and insects.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

Musical: Specific mention of plants used as musical instruments. Does not include the various woods that can be used for making musical instruments.

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Specimen. Requires a well-drained deep soil preferring a sunny sheltered position but tolerating light shade. Easily grown in sun or partial shade. Hardy to about -15°c. A very ornamental plant, it can be grown as an isolated specimen in a lawn. An excellent plant for sub-tropical bedding. Plants have spreading underground rhizomes and can be invasive. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Invasive, Naturalizing.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Stored seed should be sown in the early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the dormant season. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Cuttings from the axils of larger leaves in early summer. Root cuttings in the winter.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-10

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The sap is very poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Bocconia cordata. B. yedoensis.